For 25 years, the Scelles Foundation, a recognized public benefit foundation, has been fighting against the system of prostitution and the exploitation of prostituted persons

A foundation at the heart of society

Year after year, the Scelles Foundation helps change society and evolves with it by adapting its mission to the new imperatives of its commitment.

Thus, after having made a major contribution within the French abolitionist movement, in having the law of 13 April 2016 adopted, it very quickly implemented the new public and criminal policies in France, by adapting its missions: monitoring the actual implementation of the law, contributing to the repression of perpetrators and the prevention of the phenomenon - through legal actions, awareness-raising courses to fight the purchase of sexual acts, awareness-raising campaigns, and education among young people.

In addressing the issue of prostitution, the Foundation is evolving with the new context of the #MeToo movement and the new scenario in relation to women's rights, equality between women and men, and violence against women: updating its missions, developing its activities, adapting its communication and advocacy, and strengthening its presence with institutions, as with the launch of the Great Cause of the Five-Year Plan for Gender Equality at the Elysée Palace in November 2017.

Why combat the system of prostitution ?

The system of prostitution is a violation of human dignity and rights, a form of violence, a global organized crime that exploits the most vulnerable people and involves the unacceptable trafficking of human beings.

Its Missions

Studying and understanding prostitution and its developments by monitoring, analysis and expertise

Combating the system of prostitution by: informing and educating the public and decision-makers; working towards prevention among the general public, young people and sex buyers; advocating and promoting the Franco-Nordic model; bringing legal and court actions to combat the demand and punish the perpetrators; developing joint actions and sharing good practices at the international level; training professionals; supporting public policies.

As an international observatory specializing in monitoring and analyzing prostitution-related phenomena, the Scelles Foundation is also a key player in awareness-raising and prevention, advocacy and mobilization against sexual exploitation.